UK to remain long-standing, dependable friend of Pakistan: Theresa May

ISLAMABAD: British Prime Minister Theresa May has congratulated her counter-part Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on assuming the office of Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Prime Minister May, in a letter to Prime Minister Abbasi, said "the UK is, and will remain, a long-standing and dependable friend of Pakistan.”

“We have deep ties as nations, strong people to people links, and a shared history and future,” PM May said, adding that she looks forward to working with PM Abbasi to further deepen the bilateral historic relationship, and "to build a secure, stable, and prosperous Pakistan.”

She said during her time as Home Secretary and now as Prime Minister, she had the “privilege of working with your colleagues and predecessor to strengthen our bilateral relationship and to enhance cooperation in areas of mutual importance.”

“I continue to attach great importance to our relationship and the work we do together,” the British premier said.

PM May said this year was an especially important time to celebrate those ties.

"As your country celebrates its 70th anniversary, we also celebrate 70 years of our bilateral relationship,” she stated.

She added that the British Commission in Islamabad and the Foreign Office in London have arranged a series of events in the UK and Pakistan to mark “this special occasion”, which has her “full support”.